Little Children - TNL Movie Club: Season 2

[arjue]

So I've had a few ideas for my movie club pick stewing about my head, most notably a really awesome flick called Dead Mans Shoes, however it's very similar in tone to Rumpys pick Pusher, and i wanted to keep variety in the movies chosen, as so far its been really varied and cool.

The lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptations.

I caught this only because it was on after another movie I watched, and it blew me away. Upon first appearance it looks like a typical love drama you'd watch with your girlfriend, but it unfolds to be an incredible, mature love story with a disturbing subplot.

At its core, its a story about feeling trapped, and the desire to escape everyday life. Two people stuck in mundane routine lives seek what begins as minor refuge with each other. This respite from daily life slowly grows into an intense desire for a fairytale ending, a dream which is ultimately unrealistic. There is also a subplot about a sexually insane guy named Ronnie trying to get his life back on track after being charged with exposing himself to a child.

The performances in this movie are top notch, particularly Kate Winslets, which is masterfully and subtly performed with an amazing attention to detail, down to the smallest of mannerisms and mood changes. Jackie Earle Haley is really good too as Ronnie, you will never see someone look more pedophile-esque than Jackie does in this.

Please don't get scared off by the god awful dvd cover, this is as far from your average romance as you can get without completely leaving the genre. Litle Children is to romance what Fight Club is to fighting movies.

[Calliander]

Laundry room sex scene for the win. And the implication of anal.

This was a good film, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I like when a movie can have a serious subject, carry a mature plot, yet still have funny scenes (panties on face). I don't normally like Kate Winslet that much, but she was actually pretty hot in this film.

The stuff with Ronnie is really interesting too and yeah, he even LOOKS like a guy who exposes himself to children. The scene at the pool is just fantastic.

[Rumpy]

Was this the movie that Kate Winslet said it took a lot out of her to do? I remember her saying the shoot messed her up.

[EightBitShik]

Quick question do we wait till the end of the 14 days to comment or just go at it?

[arjue]

Go at it, use spoiler tags where necessary.

[EightBitShik]

I'll put it in my queue asap

[Frogacuda]

I finally got around to watching this. The voiceover was a bit overbearing, but other than that it was very well handled. A solid recommendation.

[Rumpy]

I have this now, gonna try to get to it tomorrow.

[D_N_G]

Checked this out, It reminded me of a 2 hour episode of Desparate Housewives. For a love story it was pretty cool and out of the ordinary.

I liked the narration, but it drops out and doesnt pick up til near the end. I think it would have been more effective if paced throughout.

The subplot/pedo thing would have been great as its own movie, but really seemed almost out of place here. I know the movie was trying to convey extreme differences in relationships and tie into deep emotional bonds, but that scenario was a little stretched. Something more subtle could have gotten the point of the film across.

However whacking off in the car to the date and the swimming pool scenes was some grade-"a", badass moviemaking Seriously i would love to watch a movie just about that Ronnie dude.

I also really dug the scene where they were eating dinner and the wife was sensing the sexual tension that was really superb

And also second the panties on the face scene that almost had me in tears


Thanks for the reco Arjue

[Frogacuda]

Yeah, I liked Jane Adams little bit part in this movie. She was good.